The Veteran's cervical spine and right knee disabilities were denied service connection. The left knee disability was also denied, but the Veteran did not have a current left knee disability.,For his mood disorder, the Veteran received an initial rating of 30 percent prior to August 22, 2014, and 70 percent thereafter. However, he is not entitled to higher ratings as there was no evidence showing total occupational and social impairment.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found that the Veteran did not have current left knee or right knee disabilities due to disease or injury. The cervical spine disability was also denied service connection because it was not proximately due to his service-connected low back disability.,For the mood disorder, the initial rating of 30 percent prior to August 22, 2014, and 70 percent thereafter were granted based on occupational and social impairment. However, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there was no evidence showing total occupational and social impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine disability, Left knee disability, Right knee disability, Mood disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 23, 2018
- Citation
- 18105086
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18105086.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim for bilateral knee disabilities and his right and left knee scars have been granted. He is now rated at a combined 60% disability rating from June 1, 2018 based on bilateral factors for his bilateral knee disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for brain cancer, low back disability, and cervical spine disability due to a pre-decisional error in failing to obtain a radiation dose estimate from the Under Secretary for Health. The Veteran's military service aboard USS ENTERPRISE is considered relevant to his exposure to ionizing radiation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine condition had its onset in service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.
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